Thread: Supreme Court rules against government in immigration identi

Supreme Court rules against government in immigration identity-theft case

In a 9-0 decision, the justices say the crime is limited to those who knew they had stolen another person's Social Security number. The decision limits efforts to prosecute illegal workers.

By David G. Savage
9:20 AM PDT, May 4, 2009

Reporting Form Washington -- The Supreme Court today took away one tool for prosecuting and deporting workers who are in this country illegally, ruling that the crime of identity theft is limited to those who knew they had stolen another person's Social Security number.

The 9-0 decision overturns part of an Illinois man's conviction for using false documents.


The court agreed he could be imprisoned for using an ID card he knew was false, but it also said he could not be charged with a felony of "aggravated identity theft" because he did not know he was using someone's Social Security number.

Last year, immigration officials in the Bush administration had rounded up hundreds of illegal workers at several plants and charged them with "aggravated identity theft."

Facing such a serious charge, many agreed to plead guilty and be deported.


The lesser charge of using false documents is not a felony and does not trigger an automatic deportation.

In today's opinion in Flores-Figueroa vs. United States, the court cited the words of the identity theft law. It refers to a person who "knowingly" uses the means of identification "of another person."

During the oral argument in the case, the justices were told that about half of all the possible combinations of nine-digit Social Security numbers have been used at some time.

Ignacio Flores-Figueroa, a citizen of Mexico, said he had bought a set of false documents in Chicago and used them to work at a steel plant in East Moline, Ill. His employer later reported him to immigration authorities. He was charged with entering the country illegally, using false documents and aggravated identity theft. Only the latter charge was at issue in the Supreme Court.

Justice Stephen G. Breyer said that in most cases of identity theft, the defendant sets out to steal someone's identity so to take money from their accounts. In this case, the illegal immigrant wanted to use a false Social Security number as though it was his, but he did not know or care whether it was a real person's number.

david.savage@latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld ... 2350.story

It refers to a person who "knowingly" uses the means of identification "of another person."

So, it means you have to know that the number belongs to someone else or it's not a big deal. This is a crock.

it is a crock - it is playing with words. any human being knows that usingdocumentation that passes for official is wrong. Beacuase you are teh country illegaly - duh!

Oh hang on you racist pig, that poor undocumented hard working person did not know that he was here illegally. I see.

it is a crock - it is playing with words

Well, one would think if you bought phony documents because you don't have any and are here illegally, there's a good chance it's someone elses identity.......just because you don't meet the person and shake hands, doesn't make the problems any less.


This is as stupid as the last amnesty try where if you are a known gang member, you just have to say, I'm not in one anymore and you'd be free.

So.....here ya go illegals....play dumb....what? This is actually a real citizens number? Heck I didn't know that! I mean I specifically asked that I get a number that didn't belong to anyone.

What's the point of having any of this if it's no big deal to have it stolen?

Oh good....I'm glad to hear this.

Since an illegal alien has stolen my husband's identity...... making our lives a living hell for the past 6 years...... then this ruling gives my husband the green light.......

He has the blessing and permission of the Supreme Court to go out, buy himself a new identity, and get on with his life.

Great to hear!!! Maybe NOW we can start putting our lives back together since trying to do it HONESTLY hasn't gotten us anywhere.

So I just need to find someone who will sell me the SSN of a Supreme Court Justice and I am home free, I can do whatever I want with it.

What a deal!!

Originally Posted by Bowman

So I just need to find someone who will sell me the SSN of a Supreme Court Justice and I am home free, I can do whatever I want with it.

What a deal!!

Well.....only if you purchase it not "knowing" that it belongs to the Supreme Court Justice.

But how could you possibly "know"?

If you need to know where to find a good set of fake papers, just let me know. I can hook you up.


Just think....now WE too can run around financing high end vehicles, purchasing homes, obtaining credit cards, beating traffic tickets, and doing all of those other necessities needed for a better life, all using someone else's stolen documentation because we didn't "know" it was stolen from someone!!!

Since an illegal alien has stolen my husband's identity...... making our lives a living hell for the past 6 years...... then this ruling gives my husband the green light.......

If it's no big deal then they should give the people who's identity has been stolen the right to sue whoever used it and see some justice. Lots of peoples lives have been hurt by this and excuse me if I don't care if you "knowingly" screwed up someones life or not.

Just think....now WE too can run around financing high end vehicles, purchasing homes, obtaining credit cards, beating traffic tickets, and doing all of those other necessities needed for a better life, all using someone else's stolen documentation because we didn't "know" it was stolen from someone!!!

You can bet they'd change the rule about that time.

Well I'm in! If it's not illegal then does that mean I can use one SS# to get welfare and free housing, then another SS# for my part time job so at the end of the year I can get back more money in my tax return than I put in? Then for my full time job I will use my own SS#. Gosh this sounds great! Let's get the word out!